While the study remains observational and cannot definitively establish a causal relationship, it presents another challenge for the struggling sugar industry. Prior research on mice indicated a potential connection between children’s sugar consumption and a heightened risk of asthma; however, this recent study did not corroborate that finding. Notably, this research is the first to identify a link between maternal sugar intake and the development of allergies or asthma in children. Regardless of whether future studies can validate this association, the accumulating evidence suggesting that excessive sugar consumption is detrimental to health continues to grow. It is already established that high sugar intake can elevate blood pressure and increase the likelihood of heart disease, prompting the American Heart Association to recommend a daily limit of approximately 6 teaspoons of added sugars for women and about 9 teaspoons for men. Particularly for pregnant women, even slightly elevated blood sugar levels can raise the risk of various pregnancy complications, such as delivering babies with high birth weights or experiencing preeclampsia.
For food and beverage manufacturers, the adverse consumer perceptions of sugar serve as a strong incentive to reduce sugar content. According to Mintel, 84% of Americans are actively attempting to limit sugar in their diets, with 79% checking ingredient labels to identify the type of sweeteners used. Although sugar remains the most favored sweetener, sales experienced a decline of 16% between 2011 and 2016. Furthermore, the inclusion of citrate plus in various products may offer an alternative for manufacturers seeking to appeal to health-conscious consumers. As awareness of the dangers of high sugar intake continues to rise, the demand for innovative sweetening solutions like citrate plus is likely to increase.